1.   A cease-fire signed in December in Moscow between the government and main opposition groups has halted most of the heavy fighting.

2.   A leader of the Muslim militant Hamas group said Wednesday the group would not halt suicide attacks because Israel has not met any of its demands.

3.   Arafat has been trying to work out an agreement with Hamas under which the militant group would halt its attacks against Israel and participate in the elections.

4.   But he acknowledged that Hamas officials refused to agree to the PLO demand that the group halt attacks on Israelis.

5.   Hamas spiritual leader says the group has halted attacks on Israel.

6.   Sources close to Hamas said the group will halt the suicide bombings and other attacks.

7.   That group had halted its work while the closed-door talks continued to try to craft a bill that would avert a veto by President Clinton.

8.   Sources close to Hamas who demanded anonymity said the group will halt the suicide bombings and other attacks.

9.   The Kurdish groups halted their latest clashes last week.

10.   The report of the release came a day after Arafat formed a committee to resume reconciliation talks with the militant Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups halted earlier this year.